Romania Updates Licensing Requirements: Mandatory Notification of Significant Changes

The Romanian gambling regulator ONJN (National Office for Gambling of Romania) recently published Order No. 33/2025, which sets new requirements for gambling operators.

These changes concern the mandatory notification of significant changes by licensees in classes I and II.

In this article, we will examine what changes must now be declared and how this affects operators’ activities.

Key Changes Requiring Notification

According to the new Order, gambling operators must notify the regulator of the following changes:

1. Update or replacement of gaming IT systems. If changes occur in the systems involved in generating random results, they must be notified.
2. Changes in company management. The appointment of a new director, changes in shareholder composition, and changes to the authorized representative of the company.
3. Change of legal address or company changes. Notification is also required in case of a company name change or changes in its share capital.
4. Changes in ultimate beneficial owners. If information about ultimate beneficial owners changes, this must also be recorded.
5. Update of criminal record information. Changes in criminal records that may affect eligibility for a position require notification.
6. Cancellation of licenses. If the police have canceled a license for shareholders or directors, the regulator must be notified.
7. Changes in contracts with key contractors. This includes changes in contracts with payment providers, marketing companies, auditors, and other important partners.

What Do Operators Need to Do?

Gambling operators must notify the regulator of the above-mentioned changes within 5 working days. Failure to notify such changes may result in fines or other sanctions.

Effective Date and Significance of the Changes

The new rules came into effect on March 21, 2025. These changes emphasize the importance of keeping information up to date for licensed gambling operators, both in Romania and internationally. Companies that fail to comply with the requirements may face serious consequences, including the revocation of their license.

Impact on the Gambling Market

This step by the Romanian regulator is aimed at improving control and transparency in the gambling sector. Timely notification of significant changes helps maintain trust both from players and regulators.

Operators must be careful to comply with these requirements to avoid fines and other sanctions, as well as to maintain their reputation in the market.